LEARNING centres go online today, in a project making top level computer equipment available to a school's surrounding community.

Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre has attracted funding to provide a network of computers for use by the public at five venues in the area.

Durham MP Gerry Steinberg is performing the official opening of the scheme, visiting two of the five online learning centres today.

He is testing his IT skills on new computer facilities at Kelloe Primary School and at the Pelaw View Centre, on Durham's Sherburn Road Estate.

Similar equipment is also available at Vane Tempest Hall, Gilesgate, and in "community lounges" at both Laurel Avenue Primary School, on Sherburn Road Estate, and at the sports college site, in Bradford Crescent.

All five feature a range of computers with Internet access, backed by a support programme allowing people of all computer abilities access to the latest technology.

The sports college has made a teacher available to help each centre develop its programme and to support users of the equipment.

Funding of £100,000 has been guaranteed to keep the scheme running for the next three years, including backing from the Government Office for the North-East covering the purchase and installation of the equipment at each centre.

That amount is topped up with a three-year grant from the Government's New Opportunities Fund.

The project is being overseen by coordinator Val Simpson, who will manage and monitor what takes place at the five venues.

Sports college headteacher Michael Brett said that the project has only been made possible due to the "very good relationships" existing between the three schools, the community association and the Sherburn Road Regeneration Initiative.

"It is targeted at those people in the community who would have difficulty accessing high quality information computer technology provision," he said.

"Over time, it is hoped to enable and encourage those who are interested to access skills-based courses and qualifications."

It is the latest development at what used to be Durham Gilesgate Comprehensive School.

The school changed its name on being granted specialist sports college status following a successful fundraising drive last year